Governance

Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) is an alliance of 10 regional Victorian cities that represent the collective interest of the regions. Our members work co-operatively on issues and projects of mutual interest that affect regional cities as well as the whole state of Victoria.

RCV will be governed by an unincorporated arrangement, however if any issues require a count of votes, then the voting rights shall be one vote per member Council.

RCV’s vision is to build a sustainable Victoria through regional growth.

Our objectives are:

Continue to play an important role in the development of strategies that benefit regional and rural Victoria and inform government policy;

Develop long-term policy positions that support and encourage the growth of regional Victoria in its own right, that develop the regions as a viable alternative to metropolitan Melbourne, and that encourage, enable and support government to deliver these policies;

Improve the infrastructure and liveability of regional cities through development of quality services, amenities and transport networks in order to promote economic development in regional and rural communities;

Encourage new industries and increase workforce capacity and employment opportunities in regional cities;

Continue to build awareness of RCV within government, media, business and RCV communities; and

Maintain a reputation for well-considered and evidenced-based positions.

Membership of RCV is by invitation only and Municipalities seeking to join must submit an application in writing. Membership will only be granted after unanimous approval of the RCV group.

RCV members seeking to leave the group will need to advise RCV in writing and will be required to give 12 months’ notice.

RCVis governed by an unincorporated arrangement (Memorandum of Understanding). RCV will be run by a third party secretariat that will work to an approved Strategic Plan, which will be reviewed annually.

The member Councils will be represented by the Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer. Member Council’s may nominate alternative delegates only when the Mayor or Chief Executive Officer are absent on approved leave e.g. when an Acting Chief Executive Officer has been appointed by Council.

The position of Chair and Deputy Chair will be subject to election in December of each year.

RCV’s daily operations will be managed by an Executive Management Group (EMG) consisting of:

RCV Chair

RCV Deputy Chair

CEO of Chair’s Council

CEO of Deputy Chair’s Council

The EMG has delegated authority to:

Approve expenditure of up to $10,000 on individual items/projects in accordance with the approved RCV Strategic Plan.

Approve written correspondence on behalf of RCV.

Approve media statements on behalf of the group.

Nominate RCV members to attend delegations and political briefings.

Instruct the RCV secretariat to perform tasks in accordance with the approved RCV Strategic Plan.

The EMG will hold fortnightly or as necessary work-in-progress meetings with the secretariat.

Should external consultants be required to undertake work on behalf of or for RCV, the secretariat will ensure that all procurement/engagement processes are carried out in accordance with statutory requirements e.g. Local Government Act. A recommendation to appoint an external consultant will then be presented to RCV who will be responsible for any appointment.

The amount to be contributed by RCV members will be determined annually following the development and approval by the members of an annual budget. Contributions will be paid monthly.

Approval of major items of expenditure will be subject to agreement of the members. Should additional expenditure above the approved annual budget be required, approval will be required from a majority of RCV members.

The secretariat is responsible for preparation of communications and advocacy documents required by RCV. All external documents will need approval from either the RCV Chair or the EMG before public release.